At least 71 citizens of Burundi are reportedly being held in custody in eastern KwaZulu-Natal, following a wave of violent protests targeting foreign nationals across South Africa, according to a Burundian human rights organization.
The claims were made in a statement released Tuesday by the National Observatory for the Fight Against Transnational Crime (ONLCT ), which said the arrests occurred during unrest between April 23 and April 30, when protests reportedly spread across major South African cities including Durban, Johannesburg, and Pretoria.
“ONLCT is deeply concerned about the wave of arrests and the immediate imprisonment of Burundian migrant workers currently in South Africa,” the statement said.
Conflicting Accounts
The report follows a warning issued by Burundi’s embassy in Pretoria, which urged its nationals to remain vigilant, avoid protest areas, and limit non-essential travel in the days leading up to the protests. Diplomatic authorities also encouraged citizens to avoid confrontation and stay informed about security developments.
However, an official at the Burundian Embassy in Pretoria disputed the claims, saying authorities were unaware of any such arrests. “Burundians do not take part in protests and none of them have been arrested,” the official said.
BREAKING BURUNDI could not independently verify either account.
Broader Wave of Violence
According to ONLCT, the 71 reported detainees are part of a larger figure of 124 Burundians allegedly imprisoned in KwaZulu-Natal, including 53 who were already in custody prior to the recent unrest.
The protests—described by observers as xenophobic—have been driven by resentment among some South Africans who accuse foreign nationals of taking jobs and residing in the country without proper documentation. In several instances, demonstrations have escalated into violence, including looting, arson, and fatal attacks targeting migrant-owned businesses.
Eyewitnesses offered mixed accounts. A resident in Pretoria described recent demonstrations as peaceful with no reported damage, while another in Johannesburg said protesters shouted insults but did not escalate to violence. Both noted such unrest tends to occur in economically disadvantaged areas.
Regional Concern
South African authorities, along with several African governments, have issued advisories urging their citizens to take precautions. Meanwhile, Pretoria has pledged to crack down on what it described as “xenophobic attacks” following mounting concern from other African nations.
South Africa, one of the continent’s largest economies, is estimated to host more than 2.4 million foreign migrants, many from neighboring countries.
In its statement, ONLCT called on Burundi’s president—who currently chairs the African Union—to engage regional leaders in dialogue aimed at securing the release of detained Burundians and facilitating their possible repatriation.
The organization emphasized the need for coordinated diplomatic efforts to protect migrant workers and address the root causes of recurring anti-foreigner violence.
